23 May 2015

Three Pawns Problem

The problem of a king opposed to three united passed pawns was examined as early as 1617 by Pietro Carrera, but was first solved by József Szén in 1836.* Knowing the solution is the key to solving this endgame position.

White to move

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to look at an article that Szén wrote on the subject. I could not read the text as it was in Hungarian, but the analysis was a form of algebraic notation and there were diagrams. I also have spent many hours playing these positions against the computer (see "Pawn Wars" [October 2009]).

This morning, I played the diagram against Stockfish after someone posted the position on Facebook.

Stockfish 6 64 -- Stripes,James
Spokane, 23.05.2015

1.h4 Kf8

Black begins with a waiting game.

2.g3 Kg8 3.h5

Now, Black must move to the seventh rank.

3...Kg7 4.f4 Kh7 5.f5

Black to move

This position is critical for Black

5...Kg8

Only move. Black is able to occupy any of the three critical squares on the seventh rank, depending upon which pawn White moves.

6.g4

6.h6 Kh7 7.f6 Kxh6

6...Kg7 7.g5 Kg8

Only move.

White to move

8.f6 Kf7 9.h6 Kg6

White to move

This position was one of the keys Szen discussed in the article that he wrote about the three pawns problem. It should be clear that White is in zugzwang.

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